Cryptoquote Spoiler – 12/23/17

“To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”   —   Calvin Coolidge

(Keep cool with Cal!  One of the few times I’ve seen plenteous used!   And, one of the Presidents that I know next to nothing about.  I’m sure he was better than GWB and DJT, but that’s just me.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Jumble Spoiler – 12/23/17

Visual Description:  Mime misdirection.

REYVN  =  NERVY,  LAIEG  =  AGILE,  MOTYRS  =  STORMY,  KRASNH  =  SHRANK   —   Giving us:  NEYAILESTOMSRK

Clue/Question:  The wrestler thought he would win the match, but he was – – –

Answer:  SORELY MISTAKEN

(Every now and then the guys like to throw us a little misdirection.  The mime aspect works great with the dialog, but really has nothing to do with the answer.  It seems strange to me, but it looks like “shrank” is a new clue word.  The list has shrink and shrunk, but no shrank.  Our good pal, ralis95, will have to update his world famous clue word database accordingly.  All of today’s jumble came up as new.  A nice, long, and cryptic, answer letter layout.  If the mimes threw you any, you might’ve had a hard time deciphering the answer letter layout.  But, the cartoon is a lot of fun.  My son has always been a huge fan of TV wrestling.  He’s 30 years old now, and it’s more important to him than any conventional sport.  My boy will never grow up.  At least I hope he doesn’t.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Cryptoquote Spoiler – 12/22/17

“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.”   —   Peg Bracken

(But, cash works for me just as well!  Just kidding, Peg.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Jumble Spoiler – 12/22/17

Visual Description:  Our guys, brainstorming.

NANLU  =  ANNUL,  BKALE  =  BLEAK,  AGADME  =  DAMAGE,  CYWRES  =  SCREWY   —   Giving us:  NNLBAKDAARW

Clue/Question:  There’s a Jumble cartoon each day because the artist has never – – –

Answer:  DRAWN A BLANK

(Except when Kathy asks him what he wants for Christmas.  Then it’s like:  Uh, I don’t know.  Just get me anything.  Why?  Because he’s a guy!  A guy who pretty much has everything he really needs anyway.  All of Friday’s clue words are old favorites, yet all of the jumbles appear to be new.  David’s answer letter layout was another masterful jumble, too.  Great work scene cartoon.  Ya gotta love a pet friendly work environment.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Cryptoquote Spoiler – 12/21/17

“When it snows, you have two choices:  shovel or make snow angels.”   —   Source Unknown

(I was really tired when trying to solve this last night, and it took me a while to get it.  Hopefully, it was easier for the rest of you.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Jumble Spoiler – 12/21/17

Visual Description:  “Bears” on the beach.

PENIT  =  INEPT,  KTLEN  =  KNELT,  CAMPIT  =  IMPACT,  RANTOY  =  NOTARY   —   Giving us:  IETKLMATOAY

Clue/Question:  The marsupial couple vacationed together to get some – – –

Answer:  “KOALA–TY“ TIME

(Now, that’s a cute stinky pun!  Pretty much everybody loves the misnomered bear.  They’re nothing like real bears.  They’re just cuddly looking, eucalyptus leaf eating, laid back little critters.  Well, there were no new clue words for this day.  Two of the jumbles were new, with “penit” and “campit” having been used before.  David’s answer letter layout was an excellent jumble.  If it weren’t for the quotation marks in the answer, and Jeff’s expertly drawn cartoon, this might have been a more difficult solve.  Really cute koalas, a nice bowl of eucalyptus leaves, an inviting beach resort scene, and the classic sinking sailboat on the horizon.  An early Christmas gift from our guys!  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR